I just got my brand new HW97k the other day and I was sitting out the back plinking at a target. My wife came out and said "gis a go!!".

Fabulous I thought, so I loaded it up and pointed at the target and off she went.

Turns out she loves the whole shooting thing. She was a bit suspicious of what I was doing before, but now she wants to join in.

Here's the question though. She wants an air rifle now, but she says the one I have is too heavy for her. I'm not that surprised to be honest, it is a 9lb rifle.

She is 5'4", and weighs about 9 stone. She is a hunt groom, so she's no weakling, but she did ask me to mention the fact she has slightly dodgy wrists.

She would like the rifle for shooting rabbits with me and maybe a bit of plinking in the back yard. Mainly hunting though.

I think we are both sort of traditionalists in that we like springers, but given her wrists, we would also think pretty long and hard about a PCP.

Any suggestions?

cheers,

Trav

jonh

19-05-2004, 06:41 AM

Kim and Leonora both have Air Arms S200's in .177 and like them.

Best bet is to take her to a local club and try a few guns before a final decision is made.

Cheers
Jon

PeteB

19-05-2004, 06:42 AM

An Air arms s200 is a good PCP for people with smaller build, as is the Falcon light hunter 12". Both very good rifles.

As for springers a Webley Exocet XS is very good and comes with a built in silencer.

Hope that helps

Pete

bennyblanco

19-05-2004, 06:43 AM

if money is an object as she might give it up, a bsa super sport non carbine( so she can cock it) might be good, very light and powerfull, air arms s200 are amazingly light and easy to get on with for a pcp

Trav

19-05-2004, 06:49 AM

Thanks very much guys, keep bringing it on, I'll go look at each of these and stick them in front of her so she can choose!!

cheers,

Trav

bennyblanco

19-05-2004, 06:53 AM

she will think the s200 is ugly, you need to make her hold it, bsa lightning, cometa range(fenix 400 looks top but i have never held one, and its £150ish)

roblade

19-05-2004, 07:06 AM

pre charge my choices would be:

1. s200 great little rifle though the prospect of about 50 shots may not please her if she has to use a pump ghreat little rifle very very accurate and very light, not really a down side to this one.

2. gunpower stealth, these really are a great gun as long as you can find a decent one, best bet on these would be second hand from someone on here. my mother used to have one before she passed it to me. you get approx 500 shots per charge! as long as you have a decent gun shop local top you as my mother did, she bought a tin of pels and got the bottle topped up free! though if your using the pump this does mean 500 pumps!!!!!! down side they are notoriously. but i really would not buy a new one of these.

spring gun choices would be.

hmmmmm a little harder for me im only used to short ickle carbines

1. hw95 light and accurate though the short barrle may be a bit of a pain for the wrists

2. cant ermber which one it was but chap at our club has one of the cometa rifles and its one of the easiest rifles i have ever shot! cocking effort was as if it were a rifle of a lot less power but cronoed it came out at 11.2Flbs! really would check these out! and they dont break the bank!

hope this helps you out a little

ROB :)

Aeroman

19-05-2004, 07:07 AM

You could do worse than a BSA Spitfire - I know it's a PCP but it has a more traditional 'break' to the barrel for loading, is nice and light, devillishly accurate, and inexpensive.

David

marcusj

19-05-2004, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by Aeroman
You could do worse than a BSA Spitfire - I know it's a PCP but it has a more traditional 'break' to the barrel for loading, is nice and light, devillishly accurate, and inexpensive.

Seconded! My wife's 4'10" and she likes the Spitfire (as do I ;)).

Also might be worth trying out a long-barrelled .22 springer such as a Supersport. (.22 easier to cock compared to the equivalent 12 fpe .177.)

Snapshot.

19-05-2004, 08:05 AM

Don't neglect the various flavours of the plastic-stocked FX guns. Very light but more expensive than the S200, etc.

Like others here I'm a big fan of the BSA Spitfire. Make sure you get the HF version if you do go this route.

Jonathan

Geordie

19-05-2004, 09:15 AM

Good luck mate - you're headed down the same road as me!

Started her off on a BSA Lightning in .177 - weight was fine, but the recoil and cocking effort was a little much for her.

She started playing with my falcon, and decided PCP was the way to go.

Bought her a s400 carbine - loved it, but hankered after the mag system "like the one on your gun :rolleyes:

So the s400's gone, and she has a s410k (just like mine) - now fitted with a Harris tilt bipod (to help with the lying down shots), weaver mounted Varmint 6-24x42, and SB laser under the silencer to help with rangefinding!

Talk about his n hers kit!! :D

Plus side is, I can whip her scope off and use the rifle for NV as my "spare" - laser makes zero checking a doddle - but don't tell her that ;) :D

Overall though, if weight is an issue she found the Spitfire to be a surprisingly heavy gun - much more so than the Lightning. s400k seems to balance nicely, and she's plinking spinners out to 45 yards well enough - even took her first bunny the other day!

Good luck ;)

Dan :cool:

Thameside

19-05-2004, 10:19 AM

we bought the father in law a webley spectre.The wife was sitting by the computer shooting cherry tomatoes at 20 yards.She said 'If he doesn't like it I will have it'.Only ways around 6lb with scope if that.Steve

Gary C

19-05-2004, 11:17 AM

Daystate Mirage

AAS410K - lighter than 200 and far nicer

Jon Budd

19-05-2004, 12:39 PM

For springers, cocking effort is a key factor too...

My GF couldn't cock any of my springers, so I got a Tx200 Mk3 (mk3 is important) - very low cocking effort, and usual TX accuracy.

Not particulary light, but she is fine with it...

HTH - JB

PS AS for PCPs, I agree 100% with Gary - sure, get the S200 if you are on a budget, but the 400K is lighter and so much nicer to use/own, especially in walnut sporter version...

WILBA

19-05-2004, 01:17 PM

She started playing with my falcon, and decided PCP was the way to go.
(QUOTE)

Is that what they call it these days dan, dam i've been calling it by another name so thats why she don't play with mine then
:D :D

You won't go wrong with either the AA200 or the falcon FN12 mateas both are as good as each other. In springers i wouls also go for the bsa supersport to which is lighter than the HW 95. but if her wrists are knacked;) i would go the pcp route but remember you will have to splash out on a handpump or dive bottle setup for these also so could get expensive. or do you already own a pcp? AA410 is quite light to.
ATB
chris

andyw

19-05-2004, 03:04 PM

I would agree with the previous comments regarding the s200 but my wife was not keen on only 50 shots or indeed the expence of a spare bottle or indeed an air bottle! :) - My wifes uses the BSA Lightning powerful, reasonable easy to break the barrel and fairly cheap....we also use the rather under-rated HW57 very easy to use the under lever, bought "ours" new for £160 - very light, easy gun. :D

Trav

19-05-2004, 06:58 PM

Thanks very much guys, I appreciate all the input so far.

From the looks of it, the BSA Lightning looks the way to go with the springers and the AA200/400/410 range is it in the PCP. I haven't yet looked at the Daystate range and to be honest the expense of the Daystate range in general tends to make me flinch. If it makes me flinch its bound to make my wife flinch....she is female after all.

The thing I am most concerned with is the power of the rifle. She does want to shoot rabbits with it. What would disturb her most is having a rifle which will injure a rabbit but not kill it. I have been getting her to look at the Cometa and SMK range of rifles to start with, and the BSA and Webleys of course, but my question is, how consistant and predictable are these ranges of rifles? Any ideas? Anecdotes? Anything at all?

I'm also going to have another look at the HW57 and if necessary, the 27. I'm not trying to fob her off with a cheap rifle, but it looks as if when you are searching for a light rifle, you either have to go for a cheapie or spend megabucks.

I will also take the advice given previously and see if I can get her to a club so she can have a look at a few different ones...I just need to find one around newcastle....geordie, any ideas?

cheers all and thanks again for the help.

Trav

mowgley

19-05-2004, 07:07 PM

i wish i had your problem of finding a rifle for my wife she hates shooting hunting etc. but has no problem about buying a chicken from asda, but she will not entertain eating a rabbit, wood pigeon etc. i shoot an aa410 carbine and find this isnt to heavy. good luck in your quest;)

gaz gun man

19-05-2004, 07:12 PM

i wouldnt hunt with an SMK rifle, a waste of money too imo for what you want.

i highly reccomned the AAS400, stupidly light (compared to the nice 97k)

they are pretty cheap too.
I personally dont like the lightning, dont know why i just coundnt get on with it.

best thing do to is get your wife to try a few rifles, just dont let her have a go of the Falcon Ti ;)

lionel

19-05-2004, 07:50 PM

Why has no-one recommended the Webley Patriot? Surely it would be perfect for a small-statured lady with weak wrists.

Lionel ;)

lionel

19-05-2004, 07:56 PM

Please ignore my contribution above - I'm feeling light-headed.

Lionel

Samantha

20-05-2004, 07:20 AM

When I started shooting, I was offered the choice between a Daystate PH6 and a S200. Both guns were put in front of me but the PH6 was so superior in build quality and looks that there was only one outcome. The only problem was that the PH6 was in 22 but the current owner has a field day hunting and would not let the rifle go for anything so it found a great home.

The problem for David was that I had set my heart on a MK3 never thinking that it would actually happen. One Christmas, one actually arrived although David did know that it would be too heavy for me. I struggles for a while before putting the problem to Tony Belas and Dave Brayford and so the Bullpup was made. David complains that I really should have not had a MK3 in the first place but even he has to admit that the result is quite something!

I think that to begin with a S200 is best way to go. When she has the measure of the gun, update to a S400 or Daystate Harrier. S200 are not too bad new and when the new Harrier is produced, there are bound to be many put on the second hand market with only a year of shots through so it is worth looking out for them. Springers are all very well but they can be difficult to shut and are not as accurate as the S200. Some have had a hard life as well as some come into Ford in a terrible mess.

I would suggest that she joins a club with some coaching available so there are no bad habits to begin with.

You never know, Bisley might beckon one day!

Bicycle Repair Man.

20-05-2004, 10:03 AM

Trav

Whereabouts in Northumberland are you ? I have an AA410 in .177 and an AA S200 in .22 that your good lady can try if you want. The 200 is shortly to be joined by a .177 version. I have some springers as well but most of them will all be too heavy from what you have said. This is the exact same path that my other half and I have travelled. Ideally she wants an underlever springer in .177 which aint very heavy ! Nothing out there of any quality, although I have been playing with a Gamo CF16 with tolerable results. If this is of any help let me know and we can arrange something.

Cheers

hwtyger

20-05-2004, 10:35 AM

the Webley Tomahawk is a lightweight springer or a HW35

Trav

20-05-2004, 07:49 PM

Ok, I'll answer here in turn.

Lionel: I'm not ignoring any contributions....I'll be having a good look at the webley range and have already got it on my list of things for us to look at.

Samantha: Thanks very much for your thoughts. I was thinking the S200 would be perfect for her. While I was looking for my rifle, I went down much the same track and decided that although I did want a springer, I wanted it for my own reasons. I believe learning how to work with the recoil on a springer will help make me a better shooter in the long run. Whether it does or not remains to be seen, but its entirely up to me. I also realise some people may disagree with me on that point and thats fine too. I was making my own choice.

I wanted a fixed barrel because I know from handgun shooting experience in Australia that because the barrel on a semi auto handgun moves, it is inherently less accurate than a revolver for example. That theory translates as well to air guns as it does to firearms so I didn't want a break barrel. I also wanted a silencer, so that brought the choice fairly neatly down to a HW97k for me. There may be others out there which fit the bill, but the HW has the best reviews and fits the price bracket so that did it for me.

All that said, my wife very definitely isn't me. Whats happened is she has asked me to "find a rifle which would work for her" so I'm following a similar process.

I think what will eventually happen is we will have to start trawling through the second hand rifles and try a few out. I think the AAS200 or AAS410 will land here eventually, but I'm not going to make the decision for her. I want her to enjoy the thing rather than end up dissatisfied because I've made too much of a practical decision.

Bicycle Repair Man: I've sent you an email in response to your post, but just for general info, I'm in Corbridge, near Hexham. Whereabouts are you? Have car, will travel at a mutually convenient time. I am very interested in taking you up on your offer...I'm sure we can supply a few beers and some meat for a BBQ in return for my wife having a couple of hours plinking to get a feel of what she might like. I can't describe how much I appreciate your kindess in making such an offer.

hwtyger: Thanks very much, I'll look into both those. I already know she likes HW gear because she keeps taking mine off me, shooting the target, trying for a second shot, wobbling and getting annoyed because its too heavy. I'll look at the HW35.

thanks to all for replying, I appreciate the input.

Trav

gaz gun man

20-05-2004, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by Bicycle Repair Man.
Trav

Whereabouts in Northumberland are you ? I have an AA410 in .177 and an AA S200 in .22 that your good lady can try if you want. The 200 is shortly to be joined by a .177 version. I have some springers as well but most of them will all be too heavy from what you have said. This is the exact same path that my other half and I have travelled. Ideally she wants an underlever springer in .177 which aint very heavy ! Nothing out there of any quality, although I have been playing with a Gamo CF16 with tolerable results. If this is of any help let me know and we can arrange something.

Cheers

good on yer mate
alittle decency on the bbs goes a long way and thats why i *heart* this place so much!

engineer

20-05-2004, 08:17 PM

for what its worth my wife has a falcon raptor thumbhole walnut stock and its the 8in vertion unbelievably light and shoots real well

engineer:) :)

LagomorphHunter

20-05-2004, 08:36 PM

I'd also push the BSA Spitfire, HF Carbine.

My son, who's 15, has one. Being that much lighter and shorter, it suits him really well. Its cheap as a good springer, (though you do need a pump). Very accurate, and easy to use.